Comminuting machine



Feb. 20, 1968 c. SCHNELL 3,369,583

COMMINUTING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Shet 1 ATTORNEYS C. SCHNELL COMMINUTING MACHINE Feb. 20, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 nvvavvrow jg 6m czef 7 n,

led July 8, 1965 ATTORNEYS Feh zo, 1968 c. SCHNELL 3,369,583

COMMINUTING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Shet 5 ATTORNEYS Feb. 20, 1968 c. SCHNELL COMMINUTING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR Cm/Z iJCV/d United Statcs Patent Qfiice 3,369,583 Patented Feb. 20, 1968 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLQSURE A comminuting machine, particularly for foodstuff. A basket with openings and cutting edges rotates relative to a surrounding ring also with openings and cutting edges to provide a comminuting column between the basket and ring. The column width is adjusted by axial movement of the ring or basket. Material is fed to the column through the basket openings by centrifugal force, comminuted and forced through the ring openings to a discharge outlet.

This invention relates to a comminuting machine, and more particularly to a comminuting machine for foodstuff, feed and the like. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a comminuting machine having means for adjusting the relative position between opposed rotating knife crowns, and including means for readily disassembling the knife crowns to provide for ease in cleaning and sharpening the cutting parts.

Comminuting machines for foodstuff, feed and the like, particularly for meat products, are well known in the alt. One type of comminuting machine in common usage comprises two knife crowns concentrically mounted for relative rotation. In an arrangement of this type, one knife crown is fixed mounted in the comminuting chamber for relative nonrotation, while the other knife crown is journaled with a motor driven drive shaft for rotation. It is important that the machine be provided with good sealing means to prevent the foodstufi being comminuted from leaking from the comminuting chamber into the working parts of the machine such as the motor bearings. Where fastening means, such as screws or bolts are employed for fastening the machine parts together, the fastening means and machine parts rust, partly because of the high water content of many materials undergoing comminution, so that eventually disassembling the machine becomes exceedingly difficult. Disassembling the machine is time consuming and rusting of the various elements aggravates this; consequently, there is danger of this task being neglected and later remnants become mixed with fresh material being comminuted.

In a comminuting machine of the type described having concentrically mounted knife crowns, the distance or space between the opposing cutting edges or knife sets to provide the desired shearing effect or cutting contact is important and should be maintained within certain narrow limits. As a result of use, the cutting edges of the knife crowns wear. When this occurs, it is necessary to cease the operation, disassemble the machine and sharpen the cutting edges. As a consequence, the distance or space between the opposing cutting edges fall outside the established limits and the foodstuff is not properly comminuted.

This invention has as its purpose to provide a comminuting machine having two knife crowns concentrically mounted wherein the distance or space between the opposing cutting edges of the knife crowns may be adjusted with ease, and the knife crowns readily disassembled for cleaning operations.

The invention may best be understood by referring to the following detailed specification, and to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a comminuting machine of the type employing the features of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the hopper and cover hingedly removed from the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevation through a comminuting machine embodying the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevation showing in detail the features of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view taken on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective fragmentary view of FIGURE 4 showing the details of the invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view on line 7 7 of FIGURE 4.

In general, the comminuting machine of my invention comprises a first and second knife crown coaxially mounted and concentrically arranged in a comminuting chamber having annular knife sets cooperating with each other to provide a shearing effect upon the relative rotation of the crowns. A drive shaft is journaled in the base of the first knife crown and supports the knife crown in a vertical position. The second knife crown is fixedly mounted in a crosshead of the comminuting chamber. Suitable means such as spring pressure means biases the first knife crown upwardly relative to the second knife crown to bring the knife sets into shearing relationship. Suitable adjustable means, such as a threaded bolt member having an adjusting nut extending from the drive shaft, arrests the upward movement of the first knife crown. Adjustment of the adjusting nut axially adjusts the first knife crown relative to the second knife crown against the force of the pressure spring thereby adjusting the space between the knife sets. In this manner, it is relatively easy to maintain the desired space between the knife sets. A suitable drive means, such as an electric motor, connected to the drive shaft, is employed for rotating the first knife crown. Rotation of the first knife crown causes a shearing action between the opposing cutting edges of the knife crowns thereby comminuting the material fed to the machine. The comminuted material is discharged from the comminuting chamber of the machine through a suitable discharge chamber leading to a chute for transporting the material to a container.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a comminuting machine designated generally by the numeral 10 suitable, for example, for comminuting or emulsifying meat for sausages products in the substantial absence of air. The comminuting machine includes typically a comminuting chamber 12 securely mounted to a casing 14 for housing a suitable motor designated generally at 16. Comminuting chamber 12 is provided with an internally disposed annular shoulder 17. There is positioned above the comminuting chamber 12 a feed hopper 18 which is hingedly mounted at 20 by means of pin 22 extending from the wall of the comminuting chamber. The feed hopper is mounted above the opening to the comminuting chamber and the base of the hopper is provided with ears 24 for accommodating clamps 26 to secure the hopper to the chamber for operation. The comminuting, material is dis- 3 charged through channel or discharge port 28-extending from the comminuting chamber 12. A suitable discharge chute 30 having a cover 32 swivelly mounted at 34 to the chute extends from the discharge chamber and may be secured thereto by means of a suitable clamping arrangement indicated generally at 36. Although the com-- minutor described herein in detail is shown with the parts vertically disposed, it should be understood that the invention is applicable to a machine which is horizontally disposed.

Referring next to FIGURE 4 showing in detail the features of the invention, there is shown concentrically mounted knife crowns 40 and 42 mounted for relative rotation in the comminuting chamber 12. The knife crown 42 includes a slinger plate 44 which is preferably hexagonal in shape although other polygonal configurations may be employed. Trunconical knife crown 46 is integral with the slinger plate 44 and extends upwardy therefrom. In addition, the trunconical knife crown is opened at the top plane thereby providing a basket having inwardly tapered walls. The slinger plate circumscribes the bottom of the trunconical knife crown thereby forming finger-like extensions 48 to the slinger plate to facilitate the removal of the comminuted material from the comminuting chamber. There is provided a plurality of substantially rectangular openings 50 evenly spaced overthe circumference of the face of the trunconical knife crown. The

openings 50 are desirably obliquely disposed with respect to the vertical height of the trunconical knife crown. A cutting edge 52 is provided along the longest dimension of one side of the openings 50 on the outwardly disposed face of the trunconical knife crown thereby providing an annular knife set on the outward face of the crown. Upwardly extending boss 54 arranged in the base of the knife crown 40 is splined for accommodating complementary splined sleeve 56, to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Concentrically arranged and coaxially mounted with knife crown 40 is knife crown 42 which is disposed outwardly with respect to knife crown 40. Knife crown 42 comprises an annular ring 58 having an opening no less than the opening at the top plane of trunconical knife crown 46. In this manner, when the knife crowns 40 and 42 are mounted for operation, the centrally disposed openings in the two knife crowns are properly aligned for passage of foodstufi to the cutting zone of the comminuting chamber. A plurality of evenly spaced, vertically disposed cutting edges 60 depend from annular ring 58 and are provided at the inwardly disposed face of knife crown 42. Elongated, narrow openings 62 are provided between the cutting edges 6-0, and the cutting edges 60 are flared outwardly to provide opposed cutting edges with cutting edges 52 of trunconical knife crown 46. In this manner, the annular opposing knife sets of knife crowns 40 and 42 cooperate to provide a shearing effect upon the relative rotation of the knife crowns. Annular ring 58 is provided with a slot 64 to accommodate a set screw 66which extends through the comminuting chamber 12 so that rotation of the outer knife crown 42. is prevented.

Splined sleeve 56 having an extension 57 is journaled in boss 54 of slinger plate 44. Laterally extending shoulder or support means 67 of splined sleeve 56 supports the knife crown 40 when the knife crown is mountedon the sleeve. Shoulder 67 desirably may be formed of a C- spring fit into the groove 73 of sleeve 56. Spring-loaded rubber seals 68 are fit into the bore 69 in the floor of the comminuting chamber arranged below shoulder 67 to prevent food in the chamber from passing down into the working parts and to prevent the ingress of air into the comminuting chamber during the, emulsifying of meat products. The seals 68 may be lubricated via channel 37 having nipple 38. The splined sleeve is provided at its inner face with a vertically disposed slot 70. The splined sleeve 56 is inserted on drive shaft 71 which extends from the motor 16 through the bottom of the comminuting chamber 12. Drive shaft 71 is provided with a key 72 for insertion in slot 70 thereby fixedly positioning in a circumferential direction the sleeve to the drive shaft. By reason of this arrangement, splined sleeve 56 is axially displaceable on drive shaft 71. Pressure spring 74 is mounted on shoulder 76 of the drive shaft, and themarginal edge of splined sleeve 56 bears down on the pressure spring thereby biasing the sleeve in an upward direction. This in turn biases knife crown 40 upwardly relative to knife crown 42 which is fixedly mounted thereby bringing the annular knife sets of the knife crowns into shearing relationship.

Drive shaft 71 is internally threaded near the top thereof to accommodate threaded bolt member or stud 78 which extends upwardly from the splined sleeve and is axially disposed with respect to the sleeve. Washer member 80 arranged on the threaded bolt 78 engages the top marginal edge of splined sleeve 56. A threaded adjusting nut 82 and a locking nut 84 are threadedly engaged on bolt member 78 above washer member 80.

In assembling the machine for use, the splined sleeve 56 is positioned on drive shaft 71, and the inner knife crown 40 is mounted on the sleeve and supported by the lateral shoulder 60 thereof. The outer knife crown 42 is placed in the comminuting chamber 12 and is supported by the annular shoulder 17 of the comminuting chamber.

Set screw 66 is threaded to engage slot 64 thereby fixedly mounting knife crown 42 against rotation. Next, the threaded bolt member including washer member 80, the adjusting nut 82 and the locking nut 84, is threadedly engaged with the drive shaft. Spring 74 biases the sleeve 56 upwardly which in turn biases inner knife crown 40 upwardly relative to the fixed knife crown 42. Washer 80 engages the top marginal edge of sleeve 56 and transmits the pressure created by the pressure spring 74 to the adjusting nut 82 which arrests the bias of the pressure spring. Upon adjusting nut 82 which is threaded on bolt member 78, the sleeve is displaced axially by means of washer member 80 against or with the force of the pressure spring. In this manner, the distance or space between the opposing annular knife sets of the knife crowns may be adjusted with extreme accuracy. The space between the cutting edges will vary depending upon the materials comminuted but generally this space should range from about 0.001 inch to 0.030 inch, and more preferably from about 0.003 inch to 0.006 inch.

In operation, the materials to be comminuted are fed to the hopper 18 and the material passes into the interior section of the inner knife crown 40. The motor which drives the drive shaft 71 and in turn effects rotation of the splined sleeve 56 and the knife crown 40 creates a centrifugal force. Relative rotation of the two knife crowns in opposite senses results in the cutting edges of the two crowns moving in opposition thereby providing a desired shearing or comminuting effect. The material to be comminuted is centrifuged toward the outside of the knife crown 40 where it passes through the openings 50 and between the opposing annular knife sets 52 and 60 where the material is comminuted and then passed out through openings 62. Hexagonal slinger plate 44 having fingers 48 facilitates discharge of the comminuted material from the comminuting chamber through the channel 28 and the comminuted material is discharged through chute 30.

During operation, the knife sets tend to wearand as a consequence the space between the knife sets becomes maladjusted. By reason of the invention, it is possible to adjust this space by adjusting the position of nut member 82. The feed hopper is hingedly removed as shown in FIGURE 2 thereby exposing the comminuted chamber, and the nut member 82 can be raised or lowered to maintain the knife edge of the two knife crowns in proper cutting contact. This is accomplished without disassembling the machine.

When it becomes necessary to clean the machine, the feed hopper is hingedly removed as shown in FIGURE 2. Locking nut 84 and adjusting nut 82 are threadedly disengaged from bolt member 78 and washer 80 is axially removed therefrom. The two knife crowns 40 and 42 and the splined sleeve 56 are axially removed from the machine. (See FIGURE 6.) By reason of this arrangement, it is relatively easy to clean the parts of the comminuting machine and the comminuting chamber. The machine may then be assembled and ready for further use.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A first rotatable knife crown and a second fixedly mounted knife crown concentrically arranged for relative rotation and having annular knife sets cooperating to provide a shearing effect upon said rotation;

(B) A sleeve journaled in the base of said first knife crown and supporting said first knife crown;

(C) Drive means for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(D) Means to bias said sleeve relative to said second knife crown to bring said knife sets into shearing relationship; and

(E) An interconnecting element extending from said drive means outwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said interconnecting element having a stop means adjustably mounted for axial tranlation thereof for engaging said sleeve to arrest said biasing to adjust the space between said knife sets.

2. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A first rotatable knife crown and a second fixedly mounted knife crown concentrically arranged for relative rotation and having annular knife sets cooperating to provide a shearing effect upon said rotation;

(B) A sleeve journaled in the base of said first knife crown and having a lateral shoulder for supporting said first knife crown vertically on said sleeve;

(C) Motor means having a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(D) Spring means to bias said sleeve and said first knife crown relative to said second knife crown to bring said knife sets into shearing engagement; and

(E) An interconnecting element extending from said drive shaft outwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, saidinterconnecting element having a stop means adjustably mounted along the vertical axis thereof for engaging said sleeve to arrest said biasing to adjust the space between said knife sets.

3. A comminutor according to claim 2 wherein said spring means is disposed below said sleeve and engages the marginal edge of said sleeve.

4. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A first rotatable knife crown and a second fixedly mounted knife crown concentrically arranged for relative rotation and having annular knife sets cooperating to provide a shearing effect upon said rotation;

(B) A sleeve journaled in the base of said first knife crown and having a lateral shoulder for supporting said first knife crown vertically on said sleeve;

(C) Motor means having a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(D) Spring means to bias said sleeve and said first knife crown upwardly relative to said second knife crown; and

(E) A bolt member extending from said drive shaft upwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said bolt member having a collar adjustably mounted for axial translation thereof for engaging said sleeve arresting said upward movement to adjust the space between said knife sets.

5. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A first rotatable knife crown and a second fixedly mounted knife crown concentrically arranged for relative rotation and having annular knife sets cooperating to provide a shearing effect upon said rotation;

(B) A sleeve journaled in the base of said first knife crown'and having a lateral shoulder for supporting said first knife crown vertically on said sleeve;

(C) Motor means having a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(D) Spring means supported by said drive shaft disposed below said sleeve and engaging the bottom marginal edge of said sleeve to bias said sleeve and said first knife crown upwardly relative to said second knife crown; and

(E) A bolt member extending from said drive shaft upwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said bolt member having a collar adjustably mounted for axial translation thereof for engaging the top marginal edge of said sleeve arresting said upward movement to adjust the space between said knife sets.

6. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A rotatable, trunconical knife crown opening at the top plane thereof and including a plurality of substantially rectangular openings spaced over the circumference of the face of said crown, the vertical face edge of said openings being provided with a cutting edge, and said openings obliquely disposed with respect to the vertical height of said crown;

(B) A second, fixedly mounted, knife crown concentrically mounted with said trunconical knife crown, said second knife crown comprising an annular ring and a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed cutting edges depending from said ring and flared outwardly to provide a shearing effect with the cutting edges of said trunconical knife crown;

(C) A sleeve journaled in the base of said trunconical knife crown and supporting said trunconical knife crown;

(D) Means to bias said sleeve relative to said second knife crown to bring said cutting edges into shearing relationship;

(E) Adjustable means for arresting said biasing to adjust the space between said'cutitng edges; and

(F) Means for rotating said sleeve to effect relative rotation between said knife crowns.

7. A comminutor according to claim 6 wherein said adjustable means comprises an interconnecting element extending from said drive means outwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said interconnecting element having a stop means adjustably mounted along the vertical axis thereof for engaging said sleeve to arrest said biasing to adjust the space between said knife sets.

8. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A rotatable, trunconical knife crown opening at the top plane thereof and including a plurality of substantially rectangular openings spaced over the circumference of the face of said crown, the vertical face edge of said openings being provided with a cutting edge, and said openings obliquely disposed with respect to the vertical height of said crown;

(B) A second, fixedly mounted, knife crown concentricallymounted with said trunconical knife crown, said second knife crown comprising an annular ring and a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed cutting edges depending from said ring and flared outwardly to provide a shearing effect with the cutting edges of said trunconical knife crown;

(C) A sleeve journaled in the base of said trunconical knife crown and supporting said trunconical knife crown;

(D) Motor means having .a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(E) Spring .means to bias said sleeve and said trunconical knife crown relative to said second knife crown to bring said knife edges of said knife crowns into shearing engagement; and

(F) An interconnecting element extending from said drive shaft outwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said interconnecting element having a stop means adjustably mounted along the vertical axis thereof for engaging said sleeve to arrest said biasing to adjust the space between said knife edges of said knife crowns.

9. A comminutor according to claim 8 wherein said spring means is disposed below said sleeve and engages the marginal edge of said sleeve.

.10. A comminutor, which comprises:

(A) A rotatable, trunconical knife crown opening at the top .plane thereof and including a plurality of substantially rectangular openings spaced over the circumference of the face of said crown, the vertical face edge of said openings being provided with a cutting edge, andsaid openings obliquely disposed with respect to the vertical height of said crown;

(B) A second, fixedly mounted, knife crown concentrically mounted with said trunconical knife crown, said second knife crown comprising an annular ring and a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed cutting edges depending from said ring and flared outwardly to provide a shearing effect with the cutting edges of said trunconical knife crown;

(C) A sleeve journaled in the base of said trunconical knife crown and having a lateral shoulder for supporting said trunconical knife crown vertically on said sleeve;

(D) Motor means having a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotatingsaid sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(E) Spring means to bias said sleeve and said trunconical knife crown upwardly relative to said second knife crown; and

(F) A bolt member extending from said drive shaft upwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said bolt member having a collar adjustably mounted for axial translation thereof for engaging said sleeve to arrest said upward movement to adjust the space between said knife edges of said knifecrowns.

11. Acomminutor, which comprises:

(A) A rotatable, trunconical knife crown opening at the top plane thereof and including a plurality of substantially rectangular openings spaced over the circumference of the face of said crown, the vertical face edge of said openings being provided with a cutting edge, and said openings obliquely disposed with respect to the vertical height of said crown;

(B) A second, fixedly mounted, knife crown concentricallymounted with said trunconicalknife crown, said second knife crown comprising an annular ring and a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed cutting edges depending from said ring and flared outwardly to provide a shearing effect with the cutting edges of said trunconical knife crown;

(C) A sleeve journaled in the base of said trunconical knifecrown and having a lateral shoulder for supporting said trunconical knife crown vertically on said sleeve;

(D) Motor means having a drive shaft connected to said sleeve for rotating said sleeve to effect said relative rotation;

(E) Spring means supported by said drive shaft disposed below said sleeve and engaging the bottom marginal edge of said sleeve to bias said sleeve and said trunconical knife crown upwardly relative to said second knife crown; and

(F) A bolt member extending from said drive shaft upwardly of said sleeve and axially disposed with respect to said sleeve, said bolt member having a collar adjustably mounted for axial translation thereof for engaging the top marginal edge of said sleeve arresting said upward movement to adjust the space between said knife edges of said knife crowns.

12. An apparatus for comminuting food materials comprising a feeding chamber leading to a feeding inlet and confines of an inner rotatable basket,,said basket having a plurality of openings therein and cutting edges, an outer ring spaced in shearing relationship to said basket providing an inner annular comminuting column therebetween and having a plurality of openings therein with cutting edges, wall means extending about said ring in spaced relationship to said ring providing an outer annular column therebetween and having a discharge outlet, adjusting means for selectively axially moving the ring or basket with respect to each other to adjust the width of the annular comminuting column therebetween, said apparatus providing for, in advancing communicating sequence, the feeding of material through the feeding chamber into the basket and centrifugally out through said openings thereof into and through said inner annular comminuting column wherein comminution results from coaction of the cutting edges of the basket with those of the ring and out through said openings in said ring into said outer annular column and out through the discharge outlet thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein openings of said basket have cutting edges.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said basket is axially adjustable.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said basket is trunconical.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said outer ring is a stator.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the basket and outer ring are removable.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the width of the annular comminuting column is about 0.001 inch to 0.030 inch.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said wall means includes sealing means to prevent ingress of air into said inner annular comminuting column.

20. An apparatus for comminuting food materials comprising a feeding chamber leading to a feeding inlet and confines of an inner trunconical rotatable basket, said basket having a plurality of openings therein with cutting edges, an outer stationary ring spaced in shearing relationship to said basketproviding an inner annular comminuting column therebetween and having a plurality of openings therein with cutting edges, wall means extending about said ring in spaced relationship to said ring providing an outer annular column therebetween and having a discharge outlet, adjusting means for selectively axially moving the basket with respect to the ring to adjust the width of the annularcornminuting column therebetween, said basket and said ring being removable from said apparatus, said apparatus providing for, in advancing communicating sequence, the feeding of material through the feeding chamber into the basket and centrifugally out through said openings thereof into and through said inner annular comminuting column wherein comminution results from coaction of the cutting edges of the basket with those of the ring and out through said openings in said ring into said outer annular column and out through the discharge outlet thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said wall means includes sealing means to prevent ingress of air into said inner annular comminuting column.

22, The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the Width of the annular comminuting column is about 0.001 inch to 0.030 inch.

1 0 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,653,770 9/1953 Vicci 241259 X FOREIGN PATENTS 924,862 5/ 1963 Great Britain.

JAMES M. MEISTER, Primary Examiner. 

